Does Wearing Shoes make Babies Learn to Walk Sooner?

This guide gives some useful information on the child’s feet. This write up is a necessary read for parents with toddlers. Here you will also know how to buy the right shoes and what type to select. 

As parents when you see your child taking the first step, you rush to buy shoes for them. Many parents know that shoes help a baby walk sooner so their shopping begins with the first step of the kid. But is there any truth to this statement? Is it a simple old wives tale that was passed to you from generations?  Leather bibs and soft soled baby shoes are some of the common choices that parents make but before further buying any footwear lets understand the theory behind shoes and walking.

Basic Important Facts

The foot is a complex structure and it contains 26 bones and 35 joints. These bones and joints holds and supports the ligaments. The foot is padded with fat and is flexible. So when the baby starts to walk some poor muscle tones and weak ligaments improve and strengthen with the exercise offering a strong surface to walk. So the best thing for your child's feet is barefoot. During the initial days let the child walk barefoot, especially when she is inside the home. This way she will get accustomed to standing and using the feet in the right way. Experts doing research on this matter opine that the more the child walk on barefoot the faster the feet develops. However, as parents you may be concerned about the safety and cleanliness of the delicate child feet. Here comes the use of the shoes.

When Purchasing A Toddler Shoe…

Shoes are for warmth and protection, so if you are a parent always select soft soled baby shoes for the initial days of walking for your kid. When purchasing shoes for the toddler, keep the following in mind:

·         Measure each foot for the width and length and then choose professionally fitted service when buying the footwear.

·         Check the foot size and update the shoe every few months. Children's feet develop quickly so keep a track of the comfort of the shoe.

·         Ensure that the shoes are not too tight. Tight shoes can alter the walking style of the child and hurt the toenails. 

·         Find a soft shoe that is skid proof. The footwear should allow the movement of muscles and arches to help them develop naturally. The child should have more control on its movements.

·         Choose pairs with Velcro or laces. This will allow you to remove the footwear with ease.